New techniques in Research for Humanities

Before understanding and exploring new techniques in humanities research, it is important to explore terminologies like “Method” and “Research” in context to humanities.

The word Method particularly raises some issues of its own. A method in basic language is a procedure or to be more specific a system of classification where disposition of material has been done according to a certain plan or design. The words research and Method are connected in their own way in a very logical connotation because a systematic research has its own method of proceeding forward which can be called a method or plan. The fundamental that applies to all organised bodies of knowledge is that they can be learned progressively. Humanities like Physics or botany is a subject of systematic study has to be clearly distinguished from the study. Of course, no one expects literature to behave like science but there is no reason to not call a systematic and organised study, partly a science. Criticism that is a part of Art and Humanities is also organised study and can be put into the category of science.

In the case of sciences, the research is largely applied. The purpose behind research is curiosity based and largely not motivated by a specific goal. It has more theoretical outcomes rather than practical. Humanities research is considered to be more basic than applied because its purpose is never to have a practical application of the proven concepts. But there certainly can be a flip side to the coin as well and humanities research can have applied and practical perspective as well. Thus, all methods and tools that apply to scientific study also hold relevance in humanities research as there is no strict and clear demarcation between arts and science, both hold relevance in theoretical as well as practical concepts